Despite the buzz regarding Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs receiving advantageous calls lately, the truth is that every one of the 32 NFL teams consistently benefits from both missed and accurately made yellow flags during each game.
Robots won’t be controlling NFL decision-making in the near future.
However, a significant rule may be on the horizon, and it pertains directly to a crucial fourth-down decision in the AFC Championship that had implications for the world championship.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made a strong effort for a first down on fourth-and-1 in the last quarter.
Numerous fans felt that Allen left his impression.
Television commentators also implied that Buffalo achieved a first down.
“Grasping for it — it’s near,” CBS commentator Jim Nantz stated.
“Here’s a perspective from the opposite side, where the football resides. …” “Is he receiving enough to reach that threshold?”
“Those locations are quite distinct,” Tony Romo commented.
Disorder erupted, with large players from each team jostling and pushing, while referees hurried in to make a decision.
“The Replay Official examined the decision on the short of the line to gain, and the call was Upheld,” the NFL game book noted. “The decision made on the field remains.”
Frustration ensued because no clear shot of Allen was seen on TV, and it was evident that the referees lacked a good angle to see where the ball was in Allen’s possession compared to the first-down marker.
“A fan tweeted that the ref who saw the ball was overruled by the ref behind Allen, who had no view of the ball.” “Sure, sounds credible.”
Buffalo was ahead 22-21 before it lost possession on downs.
Kansas City responded with a touchdown drive to take a 29-22 lead and never fell behind again, reaching its third straight Super Bowl.
Last year, Sports Business Journal announced that the league was experimenting with optical tracking technology that would utilize a camera-based system.
Human choices related to first-down markers, forward and backward passes, punts, ball positioning, intentional grounding, and more could all be monitored.
A microchip might also be embedded in footballs, enabling immediate tracking of movement across the field.
“In my 24 years in television, I’ve uttered the phrase MICROCHIP IN THE BALL countless times,” tweeted ESPN’s Tony Reali.
“I’m perplexed as to why the top league globally still relies on a guessing strategy.”
Estimating from 30 yards distant, attempting to squint through a crowd of people and move in a somewhat straight line to its location, even with the opposing player located elsewhere.
“Technology is present, technology functions, tech would be enjoyable!”
Artificial intelligence can be utilized positively to assist the NFL.
GPS tracking is common in vehicles and smartphones.
However, in 2025, the NFL continues to depend on human observation and far-off assessments to correctly position a ball, even as up to 20 sizable players clash in the same vicinity.
Should the NFL install a microchip in footballs for precise on-field tracking, it would compete with instant replay as the most significant technological innovation the sport has ever experienced.
For disgruntled Bills supporters and resentful Chiefs detractors, the NFL is already lagging behind the current era and disconnected from contemporary technology.
“In Tennis, the Hawkeye is enjoyable,” Reali noted. The oooooooohs and ahhhhhhs create incredible drama.
“I ENJOY VIEWING COMPLETE HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS of tight Hawkeyes for entertainment!” The NFL might have this.
This wouldn’t mark the first instance of a Chiefs-Bills playoff game resulting in a significant rule change.
When Mahomes and Allen required overtime to determine a victor in 2021, the NFL ultimately had to alter the foundation of its OT regulations.